The Department of Sustainable Earth Systems Sciences (formerly Geosciences) at The University of Texas at Dallas is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Mohamed G. Abdelsalam. Dr. Abdelsalam was an esteemed geoscientist whose pioneering contributions to the understanding of African tectonics left an indelible mark. His groundbreaking work, particularly on the Saharan Metacraton, continues to shape geological research worldwide.
Dr. Abdelsalam began his academic journey in Sudan, earning his PhD at UTD under the mentorship of Dr. Bob Stern. His talents as a structural geologist and communicator were quickly recognized, and he became central to the Afro-Arabian geology research program at UTD. In addition to his fieldwork across Africa and the Middle East, he established and led UTD’s remote sensing lab, training students and advancing our understanding of tectonic processes through NASA-supported research.
As a beloved mentor and scholar, Dr. Abdelsalam inspired many young geoscientists. His legacy at UTD, and beyond, will continue to guide future generations of researchers. In his memory, we present the following tribute, which highlights his remarkable career and contributions to geoscience.
Mohamed G. Abdelsalam, An obituary by friends and family, Journal of African Earth Sciences